Page 99 of A Tribute of Fire

“Would anyone else like a one-way voyage to the underworld?” she taunted as she pointed her sword at the men, streaks of blood across her face.

They all fled as quickly as they could.

I was in shock over what had occurred. And that shock was increased by the fact that no one else seemed very concerned that our battle master had just slaughtered four men.

Although to be fair, she had given them ample warning.

Someone handed Antiope a rag and she cleaned her sword, and then her face. Several older priestesses, led by Daphne, went over to the woman who had asked for sanctuary. Daphne put a cloak around her shoulders as they helped her up. Their small group began walking with her toward the infirmary.

Acolytes near me were speaking in low voices to one another.

“The courtyard will have to be cleansed and blessed.”

“At least they didn’t enter any buildings. Can you imagine?”

“What would happen if they did?”

“I don’t know and I don’t want to find out.”

Maia stood a few feet away with a sword gripped in her hand. I wanted to ask her about the consequences if men entered the buildings, but I sensed now was not the time.

I was surprised by the lack of reaction to what we’d all just witnessed. No one was crying or screaming or seemed upset. These women were battle hardened. Even Io, who had turned her head away the entire time. She had stayed calm.

What had these women experienced?

“Back inside,” Maia said, and the members of my adelphia moved to obey, with Io still pointing her gaze at the ground, away from the men who had just died.

I envied Antiope and her skills. I wished that I could be more like her. I hesitated a moment and then approached her.

When she acknowledged me with a slight nod, I said, “I want to fight like you.”

She studied me for a moment while cleaning her neck. “Dedicate yourself to your training, do what I say, and you will.”

“Lia!” Maia called, and I hurried to catch up with the rest of my group. I wasn’t sure what had compelled me to approach Antiope—the absolute ferocity and strength I’d witnessed from her had been a marvel.

I wanted that for myself.

Not only because of my mission to retrieve the eye, but because I never again wanted to be in a position where I wouldn’t be able to defend myself or my loved ones.

My heart ached as it again mourned for Quynh, but I swallowed my sadness back and instead mentally replayed the fight I’d just witnessed.

Antiope had to be goddess-blessed. A warrior who was chosen by the goddess and given supernatural strength and speed. How else could I explain what I’d watched? I’d always assumed that only men were goddess-blessed, but I’d just seen that it wasn’t true.

One thing was certain—I was not goddess-blessed. I wished that I were—I would have given anything to be so. If I had been, I might have been able to keep my sister alive.

Thinking about Antiope’s skills reminded me of when I had seen Jason fight, when he had protected us from those pirates on theNikos. His abilities had been both exhilarating and terrifying.Attractive.

I internally sighed. Why did my thoughts continually turn to him? I wasn’t ever going to see him again. Our brief adventure together was over. He was traveling out at sea and I was here.

Maybe it was because he’d helped me, even though I hadn’t realized it. He had given me the clue I needed to find my way through the labyrinth.

It wasn’t as if he were the only person who had ever been nice to me, though. That single act didn’t warrant my mind’s devotion.

Maybe it was because he was the only man I’d ever kissed—and most likely always would be, now that I had taken a vow of celibacy.

I reentered the gymnasium and noticed that Theano had stayed in her seat. She had not come out to watch the fight that had occurred. She was still, unmoving. Like a statue.

“That poor woman,” Io said behind me.

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